It can be frustrating when a favorite item of clothing begins to lose its color sooner than expected. Black clothes, for instance, can sometimes fade to a greyish shade over time. Fortunately, a common kitchen spice, black pepper, is suggested by some as a way to help with this issue.
Maintaining Color in Clothes
Faded clothing can be disappointing. When clothing loses its vibrancy, it often leads to purchasing replacements. This tip aims to help extend the appearance of your colored garments. Adding a small amount of black pepper to your wash is said to help clothes retain their brightness. This may help reduce the appearance of fading.
The Black Pepper Method
This is how the method is generally described. Place your colored or dark clothes in the washing machine and add your usual laundry detergent. Then, add approximately one teaspoon of black pepper to the machine, directly into the drum with the clothes. Wash the laundry on a cold water cycle. You may notice your laundry appears more vibrant after washing.
How might this work? The theory is that soap residue can contribute to clothes looking dull and can affect their color. The texture of ground pepper may act as a gentle abrasive during the wash cycle, helping to rinse away this residue before it adheres to the fabric. This may help clothes come out of the machine looking less dull and can assist in preserving colors.
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